Laci Peterson’s mother files wrongful death lawsuit
Laci Peterson’s mother today brought two lawsuits against Scott Peterson in the death of his wife and unborn child, Conner.
Sharon Rocha filed the first lawsuit - a wrongful death action - as an individual. She brought the second suit as the administrator of Laci Peterson's estate. Scott Peterson’s conduct was “willful, wanton and outrageous beyond the ability of ordinary human beings to comprehend,” attorney Adam Stewart wrote in one of the suits filed this afternoon in Stanislaus County Superior Court.
The lawsuits seeks in excess of $5 million for a range of monetary damages, as well as reimbursement for funeral expenses and burial costs, and judgment for “medical and related expenses.”
The civil lawsuits are not likely to move forward until the criminal case against Scott Peterson is concluded.
The 31-year-old fertilizer salesman is charged with murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
His trial is currently set for Jan. 26. That date could be pushed back months or longer for a number of reasons, including a defense bid to move the trial to another county because of massive publicity.
To obtain a criminal conviction, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Peterson killed his wife, Laci, and unborn son, Conner.
In a civil case, the threshold for judgment is the lower preponderance of the evidence. Sharon Rocha and the estate need only prove that it is more likely than not that Peterson was the killer.
A criminal case also requires a unanimous verdict for conviction. A civil case requires nine of the 12 jurors to agree.
For the complete story, see tomorrow’s Bee or www.modbee.com.
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7917116p-8793860c.html***Updated (lengthy) article here:***
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7920776p-8797355c.html Laci Peterson's mother files wrongful death claims for more than $5 million
snipped..."In civil documents filed Friday, Rocha alleges that Peterson "planned and prepared to assault, batter and murder Laci D. Peterson," then killed her and their unborn son in the Modesto couple's Covena Avenue home"....snipped